Another Go at Din Tai Fung

I was in Taipei for a quick 3 day getaway. It was more of a sightseeing excursion but we did manage to squeeze in a few culinary adventures along the way! This is the 3rd of 10 parts.

A window of hardworking men making dumplings?

It only means one thing....

I made sure to visit Din Tai Fung in Taiwan because it's here after all, where this very successful xiao long bao chain originated.

We couldn't be bothered to go to the original Xinyi restaurant and instead settled for the branch found at the basement of Sogo Department Store in Fuxing.

Even if it was way past the lunch hour...

one has to wait...

in order to get a table.

Dining in the motherland didn't make any difference as selection and flavors were similar to what I previously had in Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Noodles Mixed in Sesame and Peanuts

Steamed Pork Dumplings

Spicy Shrimp Wanton

What made the trip worthwhile, however, was the discovery of these:

Steamed Mashed Taro Dumplings

Smooth, Silky, and Oh So Delicate

I'll never eat at Din Tai Fung without ordering these small heavenly wonders again. I think I found a new favorite!

Din Tai Fung has seven branches in Taiwan. For more information, click here.

Lugang Cafe Now at Mall of Asia

Lugang Cafe opened last week at SM Mall of Asia.

It stayed true to its Greenhills roots...

Same Signage

Similar Open Kitchen 

and Familiar Ambiance

Food quality was also at par with the pioneer branch.

Tapioca Hot Pearl Milk Tea (140php)

Tapioca Bubble Milk Tea (130php)

Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao (188php)

Winter Melon and Clam Soup (180php)

Golden Fried Rice with Shredded Pork (220php)

Pineapple Fried Rice (280php)

Minced Pork in Spicy Peanut Sauce Over Noodles (230php)

Minced Pork in Bean Sauce Over Noodles (230php)

Taiwan Style Crispy Chicken Nuggets (160php)

Roasted Meat Combination (420php)

Crispy Fried Chicken (490php)

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (280php)

Prawn Mayonnaise (480php)

Red Beans, Candied Pineapples, and Condensed Milk on Shaved Ice (180php)

Coconut Fruit Sago (160php)

Unfortunately, just like the Greenhills branch, patience is needed in order to get a table during peak hours at Lugang Cafe Mall of Asia.

It goes to show how popular this import from China has become. 

With SM in the mix, there's no stopping Lugang Cafe now.

Lugang Cafe is located at GF 136-137 Main Mall, South Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. For more information, call 5550219 or click here.

A Trip to Din Tai Fung at Paragon

Singapore Day 1
Din Tai Fung Paragon
3:57pm

After arriving at Fairmont Singapore and learning that our room was not yet ready, we REALLY had NO choice but to have our first meal in Singapore.

We headed to Paragon Shopping Mall along Orchard Road to eat at Din Tai Fung because truffle xiao long bao is exclusively available at the Paragon branch.

At Paragon

Menu Board

We couldn't have come at a better time as lines were non-existent during the off-peak hour of 4 p.m.!

Ghost Town at 4 p.m.

It was purely a dimsum meal because we wanted to save room for dinner:

Steamed Pork  Xiao Long Bao

The flavors of the Singapore xiao long baos were consistent with the xiao long baos I've eaten in Hong Kong as of late: It unfortunately lacked a special something. I guess I'll never be able to relive the glory days of Din Tai Fung xiao long baos wherein one bite of the soupy dumpling left me speechless and in bliss.

Truffle Xiao Long Bao

The truffle flavor was evident without overwhelming the entire dumpling. The truffles certainly made the dumplings more interesting although this was not a runaway winner for me.  Having said that, one is not given a lot of opportunities to taste truffle in xiao long bao so it's still worth a try.  

Steamed Crab Meat and Pork Xiao Long Bao

My least favorite of the lot as it didn't taste any different from the pork xiao long baos. Pass on this.

Steamed Chili Crab Xiao Long Bao

Now this made the trip worth it! I was amazed that something so small and delicate was able to capture the essence of Singapore's national dish, chili crabs. Rich full flavors that made me wish that we ordered more!

Spicy Shrimp Wanton

I love all things spicy so this was also a winner. The shrimps were also fresh making this such a joy to eat.

And with the very satisfying meal at Din Tai Fung, our Singapore food binge officially began!

Din Tai Fung has ten branches in Singapore. For more information, click here. 

Never Say Never with Din Tai Fung

I was recently back in Hong Kong where I was unable to fully unleash the glutton in me. yey!!! This is the 2nd of 5 parts.

Much to my regret, I didn’t have time during this trip to go on a food spree.

Case in point was having my first meal at a restaurant which I swore to never visit again in Hong Kong.

Promises, as they say,  are meant to be broken and I was no longer surprised to find myself back in Din Tai Fung as it was very near Rosedale on the Park.

Causeway Bay branch

Xiao Long Bao

I need to try DTF xiao long baos from other countries soon to see how it compares.

Mixed Vegetables

Even the vegetable loving people from the group didn't like this. Everyone only managed a spoonful as they said that the flavors were too weird.

Drunken Chicken

I'd trade this for chicken from any random stall in Jordan.

Fried Rice with Eggs and Shrimp

Eggs were perfectly cooked.

Fried Rice with Egg and Pork Chop

A bit under-seasoned for my liking.

Braised Beef Noodle Soup

Beef is tender but soup lacks the rich comforting flavors I long for.

Shrimp and Pork Wonton Noodle

Fresh dumplings stole the show.

As I no longer want to promise, I can only hope that this really is the last time I eat at Ding Tai Fung Hong Kong.

Din Tai Fung has two branches in Hong Kong. For more information, click here.

Much Ado About Lugang Cafe

Lugang Café has created a lot of buzz since it opened.

I’ve been to this beautifully designed Chinese restaurant twice and went home unimpressed on both occasions.

Am I the only one who doesn’t get it?

Steamed Pork  Xiao Long Bao (158php) 

Reminds me of the recent Din Tai Fung disappointment. Has flavor but lacks the oomph factor. Skin is at least delicate.

Steamed Shrimp and Pork Siomai (188php)

Siomai with broth!?! Tastes similar to Pork Xiao Long Bao.

Steamed Shrimp and Pork Dumplings (188php)

I realize here that all Lugang dimsums taste the same.

Steamed Vegetable and Pork Dumplings (188php)

Didn’t have the desire to try this green colored dimsum.

Meat Combination (880php)

Asado could have been better but the duck and pork portions are superb.

Taiwanese Sausage (180php) 

One can find better sausages at Ongpin.

Pineapple Fried Rice (280php)

Not the best, Nina said.

Spicy Beef and Tendon Noodle Soup (250php)

Not spicy at all. Stock strangely tastes like the white sauce popularly used in shawarma. Noodles are also unremarkable.

Hainan Bone Chicken (450php)

Awful! My stomach cringed a little because this is served very very cold. Has funky taste to boot!

Taiwanese Stewed Minced Pork (160php) 

Reminds me of adobo and I HATE adobo.

Taiwanese Stir Fried Rice Noodles with Pork (245php)  

Dry and bland. Such an amateur dish.

Three Cup Chicken (290php)

Interesting flavors. Small pieces made it addicting to eat although I can't say this is very delicious.

Fried Prawns with Oats (480php)

Too small to be classified as prawns. Oat coating works but nothing beats the sweetness of cereal prawns.

Black Pepper on Iron Plate (360php)

I have to say that the meat’s tender but there's nothing spectacular about this dish.

Crab Rice Congee (980php)

Comfort dish! Could use more spices though as flavors are a bit subdued.

Steamed Spinach in Broth with Preserved Egg (300php)

Veggies = Pass

Sweet and Sour Pork (280php)

Decent version of an old time classic.

Crab on Vermicelli in Clay Pot (820php)

The only winning noodle dish we tried at Lugang. Crabs certainly help in giving this dish flavor.

Beef with Chinese Crullers (280php)

Wonderful play of textures with the tender beef and crunchy dough. Fun to eat!

I’ve never tried any of Lugang's sweet offerings as I've always been too full. Maybe it’s in the desserts that I will finally understand why Lugang Café is the popular restaurant that it is today.

Lugang Café is located at 115 Connecticut St. North East Greenhills. For more information, call 7219100 or 5709011.